4 min. read
Exactly one year ago, I made the decision to change my username from “GamerCoder” to “gmitch215.” This was a significant change for me, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on why I made this decision and what it means for my online presence.
“GamerCoder” as a name came from exactly as you would expect: I came up with it when I was eleven. Or more specifically, I came up with “GamerTeach” when I was nine, with it coming from when I started getting into programming. That name came from me constantly teaching my friends about all the different games I would be playing, before that becoming “MathyCrafter,” which was actually a response to me accidentally naming my Minecraft username as my (old) gmail password when I was seven.
Back on topic. It was originally GamerCoder215, but I dropped the 215 after too many people asked me what it stood for. It was a name I used as most notably my Minecraft username, but I also used it for my GitHub, Discord, and various other socials. I was known as “GamerCoder” for a long time, and it was a name that I had grown attached to. However, as I grew older and started to take my online presence more seriously, I realized that the name no longer represented who I was or what I wanted to achieve.
It’s because it’s a stupid name. That’s why. And because I was getting older and needed to be more professional. I was getting into the world of software development and wanted to be taken seriously. I wanted a name that reflected my identity as a developer, not just a gamer. I wanted something that was more personal and unique to me.
I enjoy the benefits of the gamer stereotype, but I’m not applying to a job with that as my GitHub handle. So, in response, I bought gmitch215.xyz and listed gamercoder.me and gamercoder215.me for sale. As a side bit, I love xyz domains mostly because they’re the only top-level domains that I can get for cheap on the first year. Later in the year I bought gmitch215.dev, gmitch215.fun, and gmitch215.blog. I don’t really like the traditional .com, .org, or .net domains unless it’s for a project that is actually super serious.
Think about the name you use online. Is it something that you feel represents you? Is it something that you would be proud to show off to potential employers or clients? If the answer is no, then maybe it’s time to consider rebranding.
Rebranding can be a difficult decision, but it can also be a liberating one. It allows you to take control of your online presence and create a brand that reflects who you are and what you want to achieve. It’s an opportunity to start fresh and create something that you’re proud of.
I chose to rebrand simply because the old name was no longer relevant to me, and becuase it’s stupid. I wanted to create a name that was more personal and unique to me, and I believe that “gmitch215” does that. It’s a name that I can be proud of and one that I believe will help me build a brand around my work as a developer.
The name comes from my first name initial (g), the first bit of my last name (mitch), and the number 215, which is a number I picked when I was eleven. It’s a name that is unique to me and one that I believe will help me stand out in the crowded world of software development. No, the 215 is not my birthday, nor is it anything special. It’s just a number I picked when I was eleven. I don’t really care about it, and I don’t think it matters. What matters is the work that I do and the impact that I have on others.
Rebranding is also more significant than it may seem, especially on an individual level. It’s like choosing a new name for yourself: how do you want random strangers on the internet who read your random articles to address you? How do you want the thirty different email subscriptions to address you? How should your colleages ping you when you need to do a code review? You see it more than you think, and it’s important to have a name that you not only feel comfortable with but also can believe it represents you.
I plan to continue using the name “gmitch215” for the foreseeable future. I want to build a brand around it that reflects my identity as a developer and a person. I want to create content that is meaningful and valuable to others, and I believe that this name will help me achieve that.
This post mostly highlights my journey of rebranding and the reasons behind it. I hope that it inspires others to think about their own online presence and how they can create a brand that reflects who they are and what they want to achieve. Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or anything in between, I believe that it’s important to have a name that represents you and your work.